Our own VIPs

We’ve said a few times over these past weeks that it really does take a literal village to push forward through any deployment. Any regional or state team that deploys on EMAC assignments will tell you that it takes all parts of the squad, unit, or strike team, or task force to achieve a successful deployment. The personnel who are forward deployed (right now, OH-2, (2) personnel from OH-1, and team lead Nick DiCicco), the team back home (the entire OHTERT leadership team that has pitched in), and the agencies, families, friends, and miscellaneous superstars, all make the mission go through to a successful return of the team.

But just as important are our state partners who enable communications across state lines to determine how best to help folks farther away. Today, we were delighted, and honored, to receive some of our own Very Important People at HAVOC’s operating location. Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson, Ohio Emergency Management Agency Director Sima Merick, and Ohio EMA Regional Operations Chief Sean Miller all paid a visit while they were in North Carolina to assess not only the ongoing operations in-state, but to see how deployed personnel from Ohio were doing. EMA Director Merick also visited with the team in preparation for their 2022 Lee County deployment, and we have been appreciative of the EMA’s support of our work previously and on this deployment as well. We have worked with Ohio EMA staff to ensure our MRP documentation was correct and appropriate, and they have helped us to learn the professional ropes of interstate deployment. DPS and EMA have both offered support and allowed our personnel to prove the value of an active TERT program in our state. Our belief is that a TERT team is just as important as USAR, DMAT, IMAT (PDF), and other state teams that organize and deploy during time of national emergency.

Team 2’s countdown calendar

Operationally, the countdown is on for Team-2’s demobilization on Tuesday evening. The team is still split between HAVOC and the backup PSAP, and (1) additional dispatcher from Iowa’s TERT team has joined as well. Call volume remains constant, and brisk.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will visit the area tomorrow; Presidential candidate Donald Trump was also in the area yesterday. Plans are also underway to reopen the Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools next week as well. We mentioned also in our last post about some sense of normalcy starting to – ever so slowly and carefully – return to the Asheville metro area. The resumption of societal functions like school and the upcoming election are signs of that. But – without doubt – many lives remain completely disrupted. Many towns are completely destroyed. A school reopening does not change that sobering fact. Our hope is that by our work and presence in Buncombe County, we have helped to at least prevent further loss.

All personnel are safe and working, if a bit tired.